Satsop Hills

Vance Creek Bridge in Satsop Hills is a wooden railroad bridge that spans a deep valley high above a river below. The structure consists of sturdy wooden trusses and supports that create an impressive engineering achievement for its time.

The bridge was built in 1929 to move timber from surrounding forests to mills and markets. Its construction marks a period when railroads were essential infrastructure for the region's economy.

The bridge reflects how central timber harvesting was to this region's identity and continues to shape how people see the landscape. Walking across it gives a sense of the industry that once defined daily life for workers and communities here.

The location is remote from urban centers, so visitors should arrive with reliable maps or GPS devices. Roads can become muddy after rain, so sturdy shoes and careful footing are recommended.

This is one of the tallest timber railroad bridges ever built, making it a remarkable engineering feat for the early 20th century. The fact that engineers constructed something so high and durable entirely from wood shows the mastery they had over the material.

Location: Shelton

GPS coordinates: 47.37000,-123.45000

Latest update: December 14, 2025 12:26